Speech denounces countries that prevent the free flow of information to citizens

Americans and citizens of other free
nations take many of our freedoms for granted. We can do and say what
we want without fearing prison. We can get on the internet and get
any information we want, even if other people don’t like it. In
some countries, citizens can only access the information that their
government wants them to see.

The most infamous country in the
world for censoring what citizens can see online is China. China
isn’t the lone country that censors access to information though;
Tunisia and Uzbekistan both censor the internet, and Egypt has
detained bloggers who disagree with the government before.

Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton has denounced countries that use technology
to prevent citizens from accessing information freely. Clinton
delivered
the speech on January 21 and outlined the five key freedoms of
the internet age that will be used to help build U.S.
policy.

Clinton's speech outlined the commitment of the U.S.
to freedom of speech and worship online, the freedom to connect to
the internet anywhere, and the freedom to live without fear of cyber
attacks.

Clinton said, "Countries that restrict free
access to information or violate the basic rights of Internet users
risk walling themselves off from the progress of the next century. In
the last year, we've seen a spike in threats to the free flow of
information. China, Tunisia and Uzbekistan have stepped up their
censorship of the Internet."

She continued saying, "[The
internet] has already been a source of tremendous progress in China,
and it is fabulous there are so many people in China now online."
Clinton added, "The United States and China have different views
on this issue. And we intend to address those differences candidly
and consistently in the context of our positive, cooperative and
comprehensive relationship."

The comments come after the
U.S. asked China for an explanation for the cyber attacks against
search giant Google and 30 other U.S. companies that were targeted in
attacks that originated in China. Google has stated that it may
consider leaving
the Chinese market due to the attacks and the censorship of its
search results required by the Chinese government.

"Young lady, in this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics!" -- Homer Simpson